Psychology

GROW-NQ: Building the Foundations for North Queensland's First Longitudinal Pregnancy and Child Development Cohort
Sam Teague - Psychology
30 Jun 2026 - 30 Jun 2027
This project will establish the foundational evidence, partnerships and governance required to build North Queensland’s first longitudinal pregnancy and child development cohort. Through co-design with pregnant and postpartum women, fathers, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, clinicians, educators and policy stakeholders, the project will identify priority outcomes, culturally safe governance structures, and feasible recruitment and retention strategies across the Townsville Hospital and Health Service region. Findings will inform flagship cohort addressing how tropical, rural and remote contexts shape early child development and lifelong health. Outputs will de-risk a future NHMRC Investigator Grant application and other NHMRC/MRFF applications to advance JCU’s strategic priority in health and wellbeing in Tropics.
Examining the short- and longer-term mental health benefits of focused and immersive music listening events
Amanda Krause - Psychology
Stigma prevents many people from seeking mental health support; however, positive music listening experiences buffer the impact of stigma on help-seeking. Recent research suggests that community-based, focused listening experiences have real potential for improving well-being, but research is needed to understand their explicit short- and longer-term impact on stress and anxiety. This case study examines the impact of participating in communal, high-fidelity, and immersive music listening sessions on people’s mental health. Expected outcomes include partnering with a community organisation to obtain and disseminate evidence relating to substantiating the mechanisms underpinning the well-being benefits of focused and immersive music listening.
How are we doing? Evidence mapping mental distress in North Queensland
Amanda Krause - Psychology
This project will generate contemporary, North Queensland-specific normative data for two widely used mental health screening instruments (K10 and DASS-21). Using a three-sample design comprising community members recruited via an online panel, headspace clients, and Townsville University Hospital inpatients, we will establish known-groups validity by comparing distress profiles across clinical and non-clinical populations. The project also examines help-seeking behaviours and service use to understand how distress levels relate to mental health needs and available supports. Findings will inform regional mental health service planning and provide pilot data for future large-scale funding applications.
The impact of the roleplaying game Dungeons and Dragons on well-being: A Randomised Controlled Trial
Amanda Krause - Psychology
This study explores whether tabletop roleplaying game Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) can be effectively leveraged to support mental health. By examining how different ways of engaging with D&D influence players’ experiences, the study will elucidate what aspects of the game are most beneficial to players—for instance, character creation or simply being part of a shared narrative—and why that matters. These insights will inform how games like D&D are used in the mental health space and how their designs can be tailored to support social connection, motivation, and personal growth.
Social support for perinatal mental health in Northern Queensland: A pilot randomised controlled trial
Amanda Krause - Psychology
The Bamboo Parenting Program is an online social support program for first-time mothers in the perinatal period. The program has been designed to prevent and reduce mental illness during this vulnerable period, and by leveraging social support, Bamboo targets one of the most significant predictors of mental health for perinatal women. The program pairs first-time mothers with volunteer mothers or with mother-nominated individuals, with support training provided in program. Pairs work together to navigate the critical and difficult perinatal period. Funding from this seed fund will contribute to the evaluation of a pilot randomised trial in Northern Queensland.
The Bamboo Parenting Program: Promotion of a Randomised Pilot Trial
Amanda Krause - Psychology
The Bamboo Parenting Program is an online social support program for first-time mothers in the perinatal period. The program has been designed to prevent mental illness during this vulnerable period, and by leveraging social support, Bamboo targets one of the most significant predictors of mental health for perinatal women. The program pairs first-time mothers with volunteer mothers or with mother-nominated individuals (with support training provided in program). Pairs work together to navigate the critical and difficult perinatal period. Funding from this seed fund will be used to promote a pilot randomised trial in North Queensland. JCU College of Healthcare Sciences Research Seed Grants
Mindful Ageing: A Control-Enhancement Mindfulness Pilot Intervention for Regional Australian Older Adults
Wendy Li - Psychology
01 Jul 2026 - 31 Dec 2027
This pilot study adapts an 8-week mindfulness program to support mental health and enhance a sense of control among regional Australian older adults experiencing psychological distress. Older adults frequently report a diminished sense of control, which exacerbates anxiety and depression. Participants will engage in guided mindfulness and structured inquiries to better recognise controllable versus uncontrollable life domains. This project evaluates if the intervention successfully reduces distress and strengthens personal agency, providing critical pilot data to leverage significant future funding applications for regional mental health care.
MBCSR: Co-Designing a Mindfulness-Based Climate Stress Reduction Group Intervention to Improve Climate-Related Mental Health
Wendy Li - Psychology
01 Jan 2026 - 31 Dec 2026
This project aims to co-design a group-based mindfulness intervention to support mental health in communities affected by climate change. Using participatory co-design workshops and the Delphi method, we will collaborate with individuals with lived experience, health professionals, and community members to develop an inclusive and culturally responsive Mindfulness-Based Climate Stress Reduction (MBCSR) program. The co-design process will ensure the intervention is relevant, acceptable, and grounded in real-world needs. Findings will lay the foundation for future large-scale trials and support the development of accessible, evidence-informed strategies to reduce psychological distress in regional, rural, and remote communities impacted by climate-related stress.
Mindful Warriors Full-Day Retreat
Wendy Li - Psychology
12 Oct 2025 - 12 Oct 2025
The Mindful Warriors Retreat at JCU Central Plaza, James Cook University, Townsville, offers a day to connect with nature, reduce stress, and cultivate inner peace. Guided by a qualified mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) teacher, participants practice mindfulness meditation away from daily distractions. This practice encourages being fully present and observing thoughts and feelings without judgment. It is a powerful tool for emotional regulation and overall well-being for veterans and community members. The retreat includes various meditation techniques and a mindful BBQ and eating session.
Cross-Cultural Comparison on Palliative Care Knowledge in Community and University Samples in the Tropics: Towards a Public Health Approach to Palliative Care
Wendy Li - Psychology
01 Jul 2019 - 31 Dec 2020
The project aims to investigate palliative care (PC) knowledge in community and university samples in Australia and Singapore and provide empirical evidence to palliative care education for the tropical communities.
Title: ‘Men are not expected to be interested in babies’: how society lets new fathers – and their families – down, The Guardian
Reseracher: Sam Teague (Senior Lecturer, Psychology)
Start Date: 01 Jun 2025
Title: Children of parents with psychiatric diagnoses – health, development and well-being in the first year of life. A study of children born in 2002-2022 in Region Hovedstaden, National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark
Reseracher: Sam Teague (Senior Lecturer, Psychology)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2025
Title: The consequences of the corona pandemic for the health and well-being of the population: part 3. A systematic literature review, Rijksinstituut voor Volksgezondheid en Milieu
Reseracher: Sam Teague (Senior Lecturer, Psychology)
Start Date: 16 Feb 2024
Title: Society of Mental Health Research
Reseracher: Wendy Li (Associate Professor)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2021
Title: The Society of Australasian Social Psychologists (SASP)
Reseracher: Wendy Li (Associate Professor)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2021
Title: Asian Journal of Social Psychology
Reseracher: Wendy Li (Associate Professor)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2024
End Date: 01 Jan 2027
Title: The Journal of Pacific Rim Psychology
Reseracher: Wendy Li (Associate Professor)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2018
Title: Co-Producer, Bamboo podcast series
Reseracher: Amanda Krause (Senior Lecturer, Psychology)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2023
End Date: 01 Jan 2027
Title: Co-Producer, Professionally Psyched podcast series
Reseracher: Amanda Krause (Senior Lecturer, Psychology)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2024
End Date: 01 Jan 2027
Title: Scientist participant, STEM Pals
Reseracher: Amanda Krause (Senior Lecturer, Psychology)
Start Date: 01 Jan 2024
End Date: 01 Jan 2026